Different types of rainfall in the UK

On average, it rains one in three days in the UK. Highland areas to the west receive the most annual rainfall compared to the low-lying areas in the east. The southwest prevailing winds bring moisture from the Atlantic Ocean.

Types of rainfall

There are three different types of rainfall:

relief

convectional

frontal

Relief rainfall

Relief rainfall occurs when warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean rises up over mountains.

When the warm air rises, it cools and condenses to form clouds, which brings rain.